Electric lighting fixture for elongated tubular lamps



y 1952 K. B. LACY ET AL 2,597,739

ELECTRIC LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS Filed June 7, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IN V EN TORS.

KENNETH 5. LAC Y W/LL/AM '5. J4 /\//VE5'$ M 1952 K. B. LACY ETAL 2,597,739

ELECTRIC LIGHTING FIXTURE FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS Filed June 7, 1948 2 SHEETS SHEET 2 INVENTOR: KENNETH 15. LAC) WILL/AM E. JANA/E55 5W WM ATT'Y UNITED Patented May 20, 1952 o F-FICE tionao'f Illinois .111 This invention-relates i e enerfil t el'eetric lighting fixtures and is rnore par roula 4y ---described as a *wall or- 'cilin atflxturifor straight tubular lamps.

Fig; 2 is a perspective View of manure-shown Fig. 3 is a perspective aview of-the'fixture as shown "in Fig. '1' with one of the louver 1 sections 'FigQis-a perspective-viewpf the removed end Fig. Sis a perspective viewof a removable'bottom plate "with a central support forengaging Figjtiisa perspective View of one of the mount- Fig-l isa perspective view of the mounting Figqlgis a perspective view illustrating the enfFig 'Q isaf-fragmentary perspective View show- "Fig. 10-is -a'sectional detail View of one of the Electric lighting fixture for the longer fluores- In many installations, a number of these A'fterthe units are mounted, either alone'or If the -louver lisrof:'sing1e.,continuous construction, it is n tall ighting fiXtHrES -BftIiiS typ :5 "-swung- -downward1y. and one of the decorative either in single =ui1'its"or in -a** plur' ity units rcover-plates-removed; connected end to end; it-is di'fficiilt to haniildthe fixtures when "they are intended for long tubiil'ar J cover plate; lamps because-of the siZe vand-also? tlie -wei'ght of the fixture. I 10 I For direct-illumination; ai louver' type df -rfiec- -"the hinged-lowers; tor is used and a suitable construkition'amust -be used to permit pp o w tilbs a plates adjustably connected at each end ofa the removal'of defective-tubes. V r fixtureunit;

The present invention-overcomes theseobjeetions by p v an' d e whi s b .'-plate=of'Fig. 6'as applied to adjacent ends of-two Connecteito One 11111301" 3 ktefiddpv fiXthre-units'inaligned end to end position; the j unction between two'* adjacent *units: {placed end toend andengaged with each of the and gagem'ent of one of the louver ends withthe cenby providing a louver*constructionfwhic p iv:. tralsupport-as shown in Fig. 5. otedat the ends and'split atthe'center-o that each end portion maybe -swung downwardlyior -ing-the 10uver supporting means; and cleaning the louvers a'n'd other portions o'f the fix re a also i e ewf m g locking devices-and'the plate shown in Fig.6.

An important object of thef inver'ition isto pro-..25 vide an elec riclishtin fi i 'o S Bight cent'or straight tubular lamps become so heavy ubu a l mp yp w i HQ i andcumbersome*thateach unit has-a support at eac lighting k ayb -*eX nd d for Q each-end when hung orsupported from the ceilnecting another unit=inendto endirelation therefi ng to. ligliting-units-are now supported in alignment, so A furtherobj ctof -th invehtion rovide that'means is provided'at each end of a unit'for an electric g fii f0? {Slifilght 313111941 supporting that unit 'aloneor for supporting the lamps in which directing louversor weilectors :adjacent .ends of :t n t maced togetherin positioned below -the lamps may he :pivotally 'alignment, mounted to swing in-sections below' the fiitture.

A fu ther'obj O t -i'nvfit on is td p' o fi un -alignment, the tubular lamps are. placed in improved means for joininglouv'e section's ot-a'n :iposifibn and they must;be easi1y electric l ghting fixtu y f l ":removable th'erefrom for replacement. stantially OOHtimIOIISYLWhBD-V 93 8 louveratyp'epf reflector is used for partially eneasily engaged and=dis'errga b closing andv directingrtheilight downwardly-below position. the"fixture; 'special mounting. meansimust beproa further obj ecb o f th'iinventionzis to i r vi'ded'f' for anceg to iubula r lamps provide an adjustableihangenwhicirnnayrhe..con nected to an electric heavy and? cumbersgme and the present, invenlimit attaching means d g tion providesca louver split at its center and Of a sin le-unitzor .fomfreadysa'diustment'to enplvotfid-iatithe ends with hooked means for ena e he j entifindsriof two.alignedrflxtures. zgagin'githe centrarends of the louver ortions so Other objects offthe zinvention zwilltappear-zin t t .fiheyuprovideza t andcontinuoust, the specification rand: will he apparent-dramatic --but are "easi1y--engaged and disengaged from the accompanying drawingsinwhich, 350

holder -so that =they' may be 1 swung downwardly from bbth ends.

Referring nowmore particularly to the drawtingsg a central longitudinal supportinguchannel ulhas downwar'dly turned sides lillturnedslighti:inwardlyrand tconnected "to tend piece 1 2 which cover the ends of the channel and extend laterally at both sides thereof. Each end piece is formed with a top flange l4 secured by screws [6 or other fastening means to the upper side of the channel and connecting the opposite sides H of the channel. At each end is a bridge I8 having a downward projection parallel with the surface of the end l2 through which a fastening screw 22 is inserted from the outside of the end piece, thus firmly holding the end piece in position.

At the bottom of the channel It is a bottom plate 24 having angularly related sides 25 and upwardly turned edges 26 for closely embracing the downwardly turned edges of the channel. In the bridge I8 at each end is a downwardly projecting threaded stud 28 adapted to extend through a slotted opening 38 and the stud engaged by a knurled nut 32 applied from the under side of the fixture and holding the bottom plate tightly in place, thus strengthening the channel and providing a strong central support for the fixture and the end pieces.

At the ends of the angular sides I i of the channel are openings 34 through which lamp supsides from a central point at the bottom, thus providing a pleasing contour and construction. Mounted in the side portions 48 of opposite end pieces are side reflectors 44 which conform in their outer surface to the curvature of the flange portion and are seated and held therein by projections punched inwardly from the openings 46. These side reflectors strengthen the fixtures and properly space the ends apart and form a leasing finish for the side portion of the fixture.

Attached to the inside of each end piece over the central flange portion 42 is a supporting bracket 48 which may be secured in place by a fastening screw 58 inserted through the flange into the bracket and binding it tightly thereto. Projecting inwardly beyond the flange portion 42 at the sides of the bracket are spaced ears 52 having headed studs 54 extending from the inside outwardly through the ears to provide parallel pivots at the lower inside edge of each end piece. A louver section 56 has a number of longitudinal strips and a plurality of cross strips, the lower edges of which conform to the upwardly rounded portion 42 of the end piece to give a pleasing and attractive appearance and the rectangular louver cells extend in a vertical direction so that the light from the lamps is directed downwardly below the fixture. Two longitudinal louver strips 58 adjacent the center extend at the end thereof and are provided with openings 60 adapted to be sprung over the outward projections of the studs 54 at one end of the fixture so that the entire louver is pivoted therein.

At the center of the fixture secured to the bottom plate 25 by means of a fastening screw 62 or other suitable fastening means is a holder 64 somewhat U-shaped to conform to the bottom and sides 25 of the plate and with downwardly turned extremities 66 spaced apart approximately the same distance as the longitudinal stri s 58 of the louver section 56. At the inside of one projection 66 and at the outside of the opposite one is a fastening clip 68 with an upturned lower end 18 forming a flat hook. In the free end of each louver section, the longitudinal louver strips 58 are each provided with a notch 12 slightly wider than the upturned end 10 of the clip 68.

With this construction, the louver sections hung in the ends may be swung upwardly until the slots 72 are opposite the upturned ends 10 and the louver section is pressed laterally until the portions above the upturned ends '10 may be seated in the hooks formed by these upturned ends, and then the louver end is pressed downwardly in engagement with the hook thus formed. Each louver end is adapted to engage only about one-half of each hook end 10 so that when both louvers are engaged and pressed downwardly, the louvers will be in alignment and the under surface of the reflector will be complete. The connection' thus made is so close that when the louver sections are thus connected, it is difficult to see the joint between them and they give the appearance of a continuous louver.

At the upper side of each end of the supporting channel Ill are transverse slots 14 spaced apart and near the upper ends of each transverse slot are smaller spaced longitudinal slots l6 which may have partially severed knock-outs so that any of these slots may be used if desired. These slots 16 and corresponding slots 89 in the supporting plate 82 may be provided for inserting additional fastening bolts (not shown) for more securely fastening these parts together if desired. Near the extremity of the channel is a hole '18 with a partially severed knock-out projection for inserting electrical conductors therethrough. Disposed centrally of the channel in a longitudinal direction are a number of partially severed knock-out openings which are provided for a centrally disposed support and conductor openings, if desired.

An end supporting plate structure is shown more clearly by Figs. 2, 6 and 7 and comprises a plate 82 with flanged ends 83 and edges 84 to strengthen the plate and to set it up from the channel 10 to which it is applied. At the center of each plate is a circular frusto-conical shell 86 having a flange top opening 81 so that the head of a supporting bolt may be disposed within the shell, the stem projecting upwardly therefrom for attachment to any suitable fixture hanger.

At the ends of the plate and centrally thereof are longitudinal slots 88 located in a depressed portion of the plate and having larger keyhole openings 96 at the ends of each slot. In this slot, a locking key plate 92 is slidable having an enlarged portion with a finger hold opening 94 at the under side ,of the plate and a reduced stem 96 projecting through the slot to the upper side thereof. Mounted on the stem and engaging a washer 91 at the upper side of the slot 83 is a coil spring 98', the upper end of which is restrained by a washer l0, and a cross pin I02 extending through a hole in the end of the stem 88 and seated in a recess of the washer. At the top of the finger hold portion and engaging the underside of the plate below the slot 88 is a larger washer I04 which is held tightly against the plate by the tension of the spring 98.

With this construction, each locking plate 92 may be rotated in either end opening until the flat side of the plate registers with the slot 88 and then the locking plate 92 may be slidably moved to eitherend of the slot and rotated in the: larger end openingz 5 mm; lObk'ilt 'inithati position. JWhen the supporting plate'iazxisf to 'be attachedat the iiend of afisinglesslighting' unit, bothoflthe lockingiplates' 92: areamoved to-the innerends of. their :slots rBB and the ifinger? hole portions of the slots: are -inserted through both openings? l at the-end oftheachannel l 0. -When a plate- 82 is to support two adjacent lighting 4 units, the locking pl'ates' 92 are inoved to the outer ends of theslots-88 so -that the plate will equally overlap two adjacent --units"-placed end to end and the two locking -un-its ill-may be inserted through the outermost openings M in the ends of adjacent supporting channel lli. -When a locking'plate 92 isinserted through one of the openings '14 of thesupporting channel, it

is then turned at rightangles, or parall'ek slots t8 andthe upper end of'thehand hold portion is seated in a depression-E05 at right angles to' the central portion of ea'chslot '14.

"In each end l2'of aiixtureunit'is aknock-out opening its for electrically jconnectingadjacent l h n ts, bu i th .uniti 5 1 b se ar ly used, a decorative plate 'lqa'fis provided having a top flange l l o'witha notchl 12 therein to over 'lap' the upper side of the channelNand ,to

screws Ht which holds the end '12 infengage- 'ment with the channel 10. "Atflthe bottom. of the plate IEJSis a benug blenroiection 111.4 which is adapted to be inserted 'through",an opening 'l 18 in the end of the'pl'ate I 2Ttoh0ld,theibottomof the decorative plate in, place. ",This'plate also extends over the fastening screw 22 which is inserted from the outside of ,the'jend'fpie'ce to .or plates 82 extending from .the end thereoi, to

add additional lighting units ineitheror'both directions. The adjustment of the locking plates 92 is made through -the bottom-of the channel H1 before the bottom plate-2,4 is applied thereto, and either beioreorafterthe louver sections are supported in place since theselouver sections can be swung downwardly .atieithersend, therebyuncovering the bottomoi ,thegchannel I0; an d'smaking it freelyaccessibleior the tadjustm'ent and movement of theselocking'plates92.

While a preferredconstruction and arrangement is described in detail, it should be regarded as an illustration or example and not as a limitation or restriction of the invention as various changes may be made in the construction, combination and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. An electric lighting fixture comprising a housing open at one side, lighting elements mounted in the housing, and a directive reflector louver having transverse and longitudinal slats mounted in the open side of the housing, the reflector comprising two sections each pivoted at one end of the housing and swinging outwardly from the center thereof, and means for connecting the two sections in substantial continuance of each other at: the centeraof Y ithenhousing when .theylarer-closed therein.

'2. An electriclilighting fixture :1 for straight tubular lamps comprising a'housing open at one side, lighting elements mounted :at the ends of the-'Lhousingiand a directive-louver mounted in the open. side: of the housing; the=louver comprising two i sections each having connected trans- -verse andlongitudin'al slats pivoted at one end of the housingandswin'ging outwardly from the center thereof, and means extending-from the interior of the housing and-"engaging each-of the louver sectionsseparately-at-the center of the housing andholding the sections-substantially in continuanceand alignment with eachother when they are-closed within the housing.

3. In an electric lightingfixture, a straight supporting A channel and connected end ---pieces,

a lighting elements-mounted in connection with the channel, a bottom plate for closing the open side of the channel-and means-for connecting-it at the ends to the channeL a -pairof directive louvers each having connected transverse and longitudinal slats pivotally mounted in one end piece swinging outwardly therefrom and meeting at the center of thefixtures in substantial countinuance with I each other, and l means com-- prising a pair of hooks extending downwardly from the b'ottom plate and -engage'able' with the ends of longitudinal -sla'tsi in their closed position tohold their adj acentends together :and in align-- ment with thecorresponding slatsofcach other.

4. .An electric lighting fixture, comprising a supporting :housing iincluding eua longitudinal channel =member I open at the: :bottom. and. connectedendipieces, a bottomplate ior the channel andmeans securing'iit 'toitheends of the channel, a central supportfeomprising parallel hooks depending fromthe -bottom plate, lighting elements mounted in the housingyand a directive'louverfor the lights-in the housing comprising a pair of 'louver sections each having transverse and longitudinal louvertslats, means projecting inwardly from each of the end pieces for pivotally-mounting the louver-section therein by engagement. withqtheqex ermities of the 1ongitudinal louver; slats, andthe treeendsoflouver slats having 1 notches therein for engaging the 7 parallel books from ,:the :bottom. plate-to hold the alouver sections tin :th mounti with t slats of the louvers close together and in alignment with the correspondin slats ofeachiol her.

5. In an electric lighting :fixturegfpr straight tubular lamps a lamp housin comprisin-ga hollow channel memberwextending longitudinally,

' end pieces connected transversely ;at-t he ends of the channel, lighting elements mounted in the housing, a directing louver' in ;,the'.h0uS ng@comprising sections-each having transverse -an d= longitudinal louver slats and to swing outwardly at the center, means for securing the adjacent ends of the louver sections together in substantial I countinuance of each other, supporting means at each end of the channel comprising studs extending through the sides of the channel, and longitudinal slats having openings near the ends which may be sprung over to engage the openings with the studs to provide a hinging mounting for each of the louver sections.

6. An electric lighting fixture, comprising a lamp housing which includes a longitudinally extending sheet metal channel support,'an end piece attached to each extremity of the channel and extending transversely thereto with a knockout opening in the end of the end piece to communicate with the interior of the channel for electrical conductors, a decorative cover and means attaching it to the end piece over the knock-out opening therein, lighting elements mounted in the housing, a directive louver, consisting of sections 'each pivotally mounted in one end piece and swinging outwardly therefrom, means for connecting the two louver sections at the center of the housing when they are closed therein, and supporting plate means comprising key plates movable in locking plates and projecting downwardly therefrom, openings in the top of the channel through which the key plates extend and in which they are turnable to lock the plate to the channel, the locking plates being movable from a position within the end piece at each end of the housing to a position overlapping the end of the housing for attaching a similar lighting fixture in end to end relation with the knock-out openings registering with each other when the decorative plates are removed from the end pieces.

7. An electric lighting fixture for straight tubular lamps, comprising a housing having a central supporting channel with transverse ends secured to the end of the channel, each end piece having a knock-out opening with a removable cover plate therefor, a lighting element mounted in the housing, a louver comprising sections each pivotally mounted in one end piece to swing outwardly therefrom, means connecting the sections at the center of the housing when they are swung inwardly, and a supporting plate for each end of the channel comprising resilient locking plates and slots in the supporting plate in which they are movable from one limiting position to another and being rotatable only in the limiting position, the channel member having transverse slots adjacent each end for engaging both of the locking plates when the fixture is hung as a separate unit and adapted to engage one of the locking plates when the supporting plate is moved to overlap the end of the fixture for and connecting adjacent lighting units closely in alignment when the said cover plates for the knock-out openings are removed.

8. In an electric lighting fixture for straight tubular lamps, a lamp housing comprising a sheet metal channel and sheet metal end pieces secured to the extremities of the channel, each end piece having a knock-out opening and a removable cover for concealing the opening, the channel having transverse slots spaced apart near each end thereof, and supporting means for an individual lighting fixture and for adjacent lighting fixtures in alignment, said means comprising a plate having a central supporting opening and longitudinally extending slots with enlarged openings at the ends thereof, a resilient- 1y mountedlocking plate movable in each slot and rotatable at the end of the slot, the looking plates being adapted to extend through the transverse slots at the ends of a lighting fixture, both locking plates extending through adjacent openings in the same end of a lighting fixture when only one lighting fixture is supported thereby, and the locking plates being movable to their outer positions for engaging the outermost transverse openings of adjacent lighting fixtures when they are supported in alignment with each other.

9. An electric lighting fixture for straight tubular lamps and means for supporting the fixture separately and in close alignment with other fixtures of the same kind, the fixture comprising a longitudinal supporting channel, end pieces secured to the channel and extending transversely thereof, each end piece having a knockout opening and a removable cover for the opening when the fixture is used in multiple, the channel having two transverse slots adjacent each end and other smaller slots at right angles to the ends of the transverse slots, and the supporting means comprising a plate with a central supporting opening and with a longitudinal slot at each end of the plate having circular enlargement at each end of each slot, a spring locking plate movable in the slot but rotatable only in the enlarged openings at the end of the slot, the locking plate having finger hold openings at the under side thereof, these plates being insertable through the openings at the ends of the channel and rotatable to lock the supporting plate to the channel, the locking plates being movable together to fit the two openings at one end of a channel and movable apart to fit the outermost opening at the end of a channel and the outermost opening of the next corresponding channel of an adjacent lighting fixture when the said cover plates are removed and adjacent fixtures are placed in end to end relation.

KENNETH B. LACY. WILLIAM E. JANNESS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,270,814 Scribner Jan. 20, 1940 2,291,490 Naysmith July 28, 1942 2,321,099 Naysmith June 8, 1943 2,327,568 Strang Aug. 24, 1943 2,331,774 Guth Oct. 12, 1943 2,364,992 Maurette Dec. 12, 1944 2,393,062 Reeves Jan. 15, 1946 

